The best home remedies for hair growth

Hair growth depends on several factors, including the genetic history of a person. However, there are some home remedies that can help.

Whether a person is trying to prevent hair loss or encourages further growth, knowing some tips on diet and how to treat hair can help them achieve their goal.

However, when the hair loss is due to a medical condition, it is better to talk to a doctor about the appropriate treatments.

The following home remedies can stimulate hair growth:

1. Eat more protein

Eating foods rich in protein, such as nuts, can help the body grow new hair.

The body needs proteins to grow new hair. Hair loss can arise due to a protein deficiency.

Examples of healthy dietary protein sources include:

Beans

eggs

fish

walnuts

lean meats

seeds

The daily protein needs of a person vary depending on their level of physical activity and the muscle mass they have.

2. Increase in iron intake.

Iron is another nutrient that the body needs to grow healthy hair. Some sources of iron in the diet include:

clams

lentils

oysters

Pumpkin seeds

Spinach

White beans

lean meat

Turkey

Many manufacturers also fortify their food with iron, which means they have added iron.

People who do not eat meat have an iron requirement of up to 1.8 times more than people who do eat meat. This is because the body does not absorb non-animal sources of iron so effectively.

3. Try aromatherapy

According to the authors of the 2011 study, aromatherapy can help stimulate hair growth.

Examples of herbs that aromatherapy professionals can use to promote hair growth include:

Cedar wood

lavender

Rosemary

thyme

tulsi

When using essential oils on the scalp, be sure to mix only a few drops in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or walnut oil. The researchers also claim that inhaling the aroma of these oils can affect hair growth.

More research is needed to determine if essential oils are an effective solution for hair growth.

Some people may experience topical allergic reactions when using essential oils, so it is best to try a small test patch 24 hours before applying the mixture over the entire head.

4. Massage the scalp.

Massaging the scalp helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which could help stimulate hair growth.

A small Japanese study found that men who massaged their scalp for 4 minutes a day with a scalp massage device had thicker hair after 6 months.

People can use the fingertips to massage the scalp in gentle circles. The devices for massaging the scalp are also available in pharmacies and online.

5. Using pumpkin seed oil

Drinking pumpkin seed oil can increase hair growth.

The authors of a 2014 study analyzed whether pumpkin seed oil could help hair growth.

They found that men who drank 400 milligrams (mg) of pumpkin seed oil for 6 months experienced a 40 percent increase in average hair count, while those who took a placebo only experienced a 10 percent increase.

All men had a history of androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. They were not currently taking other supplements for hair loss and were between 20 and 65 years old.

6. Taking saw palmetto.

A 2-year study found that supplementation with saw palmetto can increase hair growth in men with male pattern baldness.

The participants took 320 mg of saw palmetto every day for the duration of the study.

After 2 years, participants experienced hair growth mainly at the apex, or at the top and back of the scalp. This is a common site for baldness spots in men.

Causes of hair loss.

Many people experience thinning hair related to aging or male or female pattern baldness.

Doctors tend to divide non-age related hair loss into two main categories: hair loss with scars and no scars. In general, the loss of scarred hair is permanent. Examples of causes of scarring hair loss include scarring alopecia.

The causes of hair loss without scars may include alopecia areata (hair loss in patches) or telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium causes the hair follicles to remain in a resting state. As a result, a person's hair does not grow as fast or as much as it once did.

This condition can be the result of the following "shocks" to the body:

Giving birth

to have a fever

Have an inadequate intake of proteins.

undergo major surgery

have a serious chronic illness

Take certain medications, such as antidepressants, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or retinoids.

Prevention

People can try to stimulate hair growth by avoiding the use of dryers on high heat.